Uncoupling device for car couplings



May 11 1926.

J; A. ROBERTS UNQOUPLING DEVICE FOR' GAR COUPLINGS Filed March '7, 1925 Patented May 11, 1926.

JOI-IN ALBERT ROBERTS, OF RAVENNA, KENTUCKY.

UNCOUPLING DEVICE FOR CAR COUPLINGS.

Alpncation inea March 7, 1925. serial No. 13,760.

This invention relates to improvements in uncoupling devices for use in connection with railway car couplings, and has for its principal object to provide a simple and efficient means for releasing or opening the pivotedlocking aw of the car coupling, when the usual locking pin, associated with the pivoted jaw is removed, thus preventing any possibility of any injury being sustained by a person operating the uncoupling device.

A still further obj ect is to provide a device of the above mentioned character, wherein means is p-rovided for automatically opening the pivoted locking jaw when the jaw locking pin is removed, the uncoupling device being at all times positive and eiicient in its operation.

A still further object is to provide an uncoupling device of the above mentioned character, which is simple in construction, inexpensive, strong and durable, and further well adapted for the purpose for which it is designated.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference charact-ers indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a railway car with the uncoupling device embodying my invention attached thereto.

Figure 2 is a front elevation of the car coupling` with the uncoupling device associated therewith, and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view, through the casing and the spring pressed plunger mounted therein.

In the drawing, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral l designates generally the coupler of a railway car, the same being of the familiar automatic type, and being associated with the end sill 2 of the railway car, in the manner well kno-wn in the art. The Car coupler includes the usual pivoted locking jaw 3, the pivotal support therefor being designa-ted at 4. Cooperating with the inner end of the locking jaw 3 is the usual vertically movable locking pin 5, the same being disposed within a suitable vertical -opening provided in the coupler head and engaging the inner end of the locking j aw, for holding the latter in a locked position, coupled together.

In uncoupling railway cars, oftentimes a tramman will sust-ain serious injury when he removes the locking pin 5, and for the pui'- pose of preventing or minimizing the injuries which the trainmen frequently suffer, in uncoupling railway cars, I have provided a simple and efficient means, the construction of which will be presently described. Supported in suitable brackets 6 secured on the end sill 2 is the elongated rod 7. The inner end of the elongated rod 7 is disposed laterally, as illustrated at 8, the latter eX- tending above the coupler 1, and being attached to the upper end of the locking p-in 5 by a chain 9. An operating handle 10 is formed on the outer end of the rod 7 and is disposed adjacent the side of the car, whereby a. person may easily have access to the handle for actuating the rod to facilitate the removal of the locking pin 5, from engage ment with the inner end of the pivoted locking jaw 3.

A substantially cylindrical casing or cylinder 11, has its inner end provided with the curved plate 12, the same conforming to the shape of the bifurcated side of the coupler head 1, and being secured thereto by any suitable fastening means 13. The ends of the plate 12, which extend beyond the outer wall of the cylinder are provided with openings 14 for receiving said fastening means. Extending centrally through the cylinder 11 and through the respective ends thereof is the elongated'plunger rod 15. A head 16 is formed on the inner end of said rod and is adapted for engagement with the locking jaw 3, in the manner Vas clearly illustrated in Figure 2 of the drawing. A Cotter pin or the like, shown at 17, is seated in a suitable transverse opening provided therefor in the outer end of the plunger rod 15, and engages the outer end of the cylinder, for limiting the inward sliding movement of the plunger rod. A coil spring 18 encircles the plunger rod 15 and is disposed between the outer end of the cylinder and a suitable cotter pin 19, which extends through a transverse opening provided in the plunger rod 15, at a point adjacent the inner end of the plunger rod and is further disposed in the inner portion of the cylinder. The purpose of the coil spring 18 is to normally urge the plunger rod 15 and the head whereby two cars may be 16 carried on the inner end thereof inwardly, so that the head 1G will, at all times, be in engagement with the sides or" the adjacent portion of the locking jaw 3.

When the locking jaw 3 is in an operative and locked position, and the locking pin 5 is in engagement with the inner end ot' the locking jaw the plunger l5 will be moved outwardly so that a coil spring 18 will be placed under tension, and the parts will be arranged as shown in Figures l and 2 of the drawing. ln uncoupling the car coupling, the handle l0 is actuated, whereby7 the locking pin 5 is raised upwardly so as to become disengaged from the inner end of the locking jaw As soon as the locking pin is moved out of engagement with the locking jaw, the spring 1S will urge the plunger rod l inwardly, and as the head 16 is in engagement with the locking jaw on one side ot the pivot l, the inner end ot the locking jaw will be caused to swing inwardly, causing the outer end to be swung outwardly, thereby moving the locking jaw to an open position, whereby the cars are uncoupled.

The provision of an uncoupling device ot the above mentioned character will save considerable time and labor in uncoupling railway cars, and furthermore, the provision o an automatic means for opening the locking jaw of the coupler head will obviate the necessity of a person having to go between the two cars and open the locking jaw thus preventing any possibility of injury which frequently occurs, when a trainman is in the act ot' uncoupling two cars.

rl`he simplicity with which my device is constructed, enables the same to be readily and easily associated with car couplings of the automatic type now generally in use, and furthermore will, at all times, be positive and eticient, in carrying out the purposes for which it is designated.

While l have shown the preferred embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that various changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit ot' the invention or the scope ot' the appended claim.

Vhat I claim is:

ln combination with a car Coupler head wherein the same includes a pivoted locking jaw, and a locking pin adapted for engage ment with the inner end of said locking jaw 'lior holding the latter in a. locked position, of means cooperating with the inner end of the locking jaw for moving the outer end thereof to an open inoperative position when the locking pin is disengaged from the inner end of the locking jaw, said means comprising a cylinder, the inner end thereof being provided with a curved plate for attachment to the outer side of the coupler head, a plunger rod extending through the ends of the cylinders, a head formed on the inner end of said plunger rod and engaging tne side ot' the inner portion of the locking jaw, a coil spring encircling said plunger rod and disposed within the cylinder for normally urging the plunger head inwardly, and means for preventing the displacement or the plunger rod from the ends of the oylinder.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

JOHN ALBERT ROBERTS. 

